Referendum: Vote ‘No’ on Dec. 17 – House of Chiefs

The National House of Chiefs has called on Ghanaians to vote ‘No’ in the December 17 referendum.

This comes days after the main opposition NDC also campaigned for a ‘No vote’ in the upcoming December referendum.

In the view of the traditional leaders, allowing political parties to participate in the local polls will make corruption fester in the local political system.

A statement signed by the President of the House of Chiefs, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli state, Togbe Afede XIV, the traditional rulers said: ”We are concerned that the introduction of partisan politics into local government will be accompanied by the unwholesome political culture and the corruption associated with partisan politics, which has already done a lot of harm to our society and economy”.

The statement added: “the incidence of exclusiveness, the unhealthy politicization of all issues, the marginalization of citizens who do not belong to the ruling party and the exclusion of skilled manpower on partisan grounds would be detrimental to development and good governance at the local level.

“We want the citizenry to know that the referendum is meant to permit unbridled partisan politics into local government and so the merits of the proposed reform should be assessed on that basis. We strongly recommend its rejection by the citizens”.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo and former electoral commission chairperson Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan have openly declared support for a ‘yes’ vote on the referendum.